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peace Tag

April 5, 2018

Learning to Love – Power to the Seeds

Early Sunday morning, January 7^th 2018, 3 poems kept me awake in their persistence to be born. Meditate on this one, if you please, as we all must continually remember – & choose, to be Learning to Love…

Posted on Facebook page: Core Star Matrix Healing & other books – by Ellen Farrell

POWER TO THE SEEDS

Words flow at me –
so many options,
like exotic concoctions,
some fully cocked, some half–
or is it half-baked?
Isn’t this all a crock?

Who decided what is a weed?
Or what’s a good breed,
and who’s a bad seed?

Why can’t I grow on my land,
what I hold in my hand?
Who owns the trees – the bees?
For millennia, we farmed Nature’s seeds.
Who said you monsters of greed
can do as you please – but not we?

I just want peace,
to be free, to breathe;
to stand with the flowers,
lemon yellows, pinks, and greens.
In the sunshine – to swim in sweet waters,
and deep blue streams.

I dance in my dreams with my beloveds,
from ancestors to those yet to be.

Arm in arm are we…
and all I feel is this endless love,
which is the seed
they planted in me.

www.ellenfarrell.com

By ellen

October 23, 2016

History of Yoga

NESTA Sport Yoga, Essay

By Ellen Farrell, MA, NCC, LPC, EEM-AP, certified Instructor, NESTA Sport Yoga

At least two regions may have contributed to the development and teaching of yoga principles. With its shamanistic roots, a “Neolithic settlement” named Mehrgahr (now Afghanistan), had many parallels to early yoga/Hinduism. Some of the earliest records of human civilization were also in the Indus River Valley where the sophisticated Indus-Sarasvati civilization existed (in what is now Pakistan/India). Both have goals of understanding how to apply inner knowing and transcendence to daily life, and healing communities. Also, 5000-year-old artifacts and records substantiate the claim that the practice and its related theories existed. Ceramic stone seals found in archaeological excavations (3000 -2700 and 1750 BC) revealed depictions of yoga postures being practiced, and officially “put yoga on the map”.

The Indus civilization was reportedly the largest and most modern of its time, with trade exported throughout the Middle East and Africa. Until the Sarasvati River dried up, due to a tectonic shift around 1900 BC, this was a thriving community. Some sources attribute decline to an invasion by “Aryan Barbarians”. Much of this civilization migrated south toward the Ganges River region, where around 1000 BC, a new civilization rose up.

The writings for which the Indus are known are the Vedas (Vedic period, 1750-800 BC). The Rig Veda was the first text to mention the word “yoga” as a discipline. They are the oldest scriptures in the world about Hinduism and how to live in divine harmony. Teachers of these texts later wrote about many of the rituals/rules for spiritual practices. The Brahmanas and Upanishads expanded on the Vedic literature, but did not go into detail about how to practice asanas.

New writings (Pre-Classical period – 800 BC to 600–500 BC) offered an alternative approach to liberation from suffering/karma. The Vedic tradition espoused externally sacrificing in order to achieve peace and abundance (karma yoga) – the “secret teachings” of the Upanishads involved inner sacrifice of ego to higher knowing (jnana yoga), and revolved around connecting the breath and mind through sounding “Om”/ breath control, renunciation, concentration, meditation, and contemplation, and absorption. The Bhagavad-Gita later became part of the eighth chapter of the Mahabharata epic (500 BC-300 BC), which is a “poem on yoga”. The Gita has had a profound impact on the culture of Hinduism. It combined three yogic approaches:

the paths of service, wisdom, and devotion. The Gita also refers to Buddhi yoga, which combines karma/action, and jnana/knowledge principles.

Around 560 BC, Siddartha Gautama was born. He is said to have achieved enlightenment (Buddha) at age 35. His practice of yoga influenced its growth, and his religion gained popularity as an alternative to Hinduism.

The predecessor to Patanjali was Kapila (400-200 BC) who delivered a “radical” teaching called Samkhya, which became the foundation for the mainstream view on yoga philosophy. Samkhya taught that the Divine doesn’t create the ‘seen’ world, and attachment causes suffering. With his Yoga Sutra Patanjali, the “father of modern yoga” (200-800 BC) standardized and defined Classical Yoga.

He espoused an eightfold path (self-disciplines), dualism, and a higher self/universal consciousness concept. The idea of dualism, and focus on meditation over practice of asanas, was later rejected. The Post Classical period to present day includes more holistic approaches and the introduction of Tantra, and Hatha yoga (9th-13th century), which saw the reason of suffering as the illusion of opposites.

In the late 1800’s, many gurus (Krishnamacharya, Krishnamurti, Yogananda, etc.) spread their yoga teachings, mostly derived from the Hatha influenced postures. Popularity and continued evolution of such practices (i.e., Iyengar, Kundalini, Ashtanga, Bikram, Sai) continues today as a tool to manage stress, support health and develop spiritually.

Bibliography

1. ABC-of-Yoga.com_History of Yoga

http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/beginnersguide/yogahistory.asp –

Cached

2. Yoga Journal:

The History of Yoga

(Vedic/Pre-/Classical/Post- Periods)

http://www.yogajournal.com/history/ …

http://www.yogajournal.com/history/printarticle.html

http://www.yogajournal.com/views/392.cfm

3. Extra Gentle Yoga, History

http://www.extragentleyoga.com/ry/HistoryofYoga.html

www.ellenfarrell.com

By ellen

October 23, 2016

Creating Inner Calm Despite Outer Chaos

By Ellen Farrell, MA, NCC, LPC, EEM-AP

Is it possible for one to feel calm even when it seems that the world is falling apart? Dealing with busy lives, day-to-day hassles, and often-complex schedules can cause anxiety! In addition, one may have personal issues that take up precious energy such as concerns about: a family member, friend, pet, personal health, love life, professional development or work-related stress, spiritual issues, etc. We may be focusing energy on things that COULD happen (in the future), or stressing and depressing about things that have happened in the past. Imbalances may also be experienced due to improper diet, lack of sleep, inflammation, poor time management, self-sabotaging habits, or substance overuse. When loved ones are exposed to external conflicts, potentially dangerous situations, major transitions, losses, or other challenges, one may feel responsible to ‘fix’ their problems. Especially when global/ environmental/ political issues are layered on top of personal issues, one may feel overwhelmed, which can feel like the proverbial “straw” that broke the camel’s back. How can a person who is leading a chaotic feeling life, still find peace?

As the Tao Te Ching states, “… stay at the center of the circle, and let all things take their course.”

Despite the fact that there may be many circumstances which are chaotic, and even despite the fact that these circumstances may at times feel overwhelming, people DO NOT need to identify with those problems.

Eckhart Tolle shares in his book, The Power of Now,
“Forget about your life situation for a while and pay attention to your life. … Focus your attention on the Now and tell me what problem you have at this moment.

… it is impossible to have a problem when your attention is fully in the Now – a situation that needs to be either dealt with or accepted – yes.

The mind unconsciously loves problems because they give you an identity of sorts. You become so overwhelmed by your life situation that you lose your sense of life, of Being.

Or you are carrying in your mind the insane burden of a hundred things that you will or may have to do in the future instead of focusing your attention on the one thing that you can do now. When you create a problem, you create pain.”

Choosing to live in the present moment can be the beginning of a new, healthier experience – and a richer and more meaningful life. Making fundamental choices, as recommended by author Robert Fritz, and outlined in his book, The Path of Least Resistance supports creating that in your life. These include the fundamental choices, to be:

healthy, free, true to yourself, and the predominant creator in your life –

all of these are to be made in alignment with the highest good.

Another insightful author, Don Miguel Ruiz, in his well-known book The Four Agreements encourages one to commit to four different choices which complement those proposed by Fritz. They are:

always do your best,
don’t take anything personally,
don’t make assumptions, and
be impeccable with your word.

To choose to live a more balanced life (and be able to access inner peace), be prepared to listen, to follow your intuition and to act on it. Begin by taking a nice slow breath –and decide what you want do NOW.

Originally printed in Personal Space, The SCAD Campus Chronicle, Vol. 3, No. 30, July 18 and 25, 2003

www.ellenfarrell.com

By ellen

January 23, 2004

Chakra Healing

By Ellen Farrell, MA, NCC, LPC, EEM-AP

There are seven energy centers in your body, often called chakras, and this information is based on ancient writings from Sanskrit and Ayurvedic knowledge. The practice of Yoga and meditation developed around the concepts experienced by seers of these energies at least 6000-10,000 years ago, just as we have modern day seers like myself. The state of each chakra reflects the health of a specific area of your body – and your personal stories that relate with the different principles of each, and reflect your psychological, emotional and spiritual well-being. Every thought and experience you’ve ever had in your life gets filtered through these chakra databases. Each event is recorded into your cells. In other words, to quote Caroline Myss, “your biography becomes your biology.” When chakra energy is blocked or misdirected due to “emotional splinters” as I call them, emotional and physical illness can arise. As I read each chakra, I see the stories and unresolved pain vs. healthy status in each. You may want to hold your palms right on your body (as we do with Reiki healing treatments), over the chakra where you need energy or healing; wonder where love did not show up, and send love to the past you – that didn’t get what would have been healthy. You can experiment with the idea of imagining what healthy would’ve looked like, and allow your earlier self to experience that by your conscious re-imagining of the events. This can be very healing.

Exploring your seven power centers can help you see how they reflect what’s happening in your body, and in your life to:

* – check in: where are you vs. where do you want to be?
* – Unplug from negative thoughts/perceptions
* – Live as a healthier, more empowered person

There are 7 major chakras although other minor or mini-chakras also exist, such as in nipples, palms, and soles of the feet. Colors are associated with each chakra, however these respond to life and many patterns, so are complex and may vary! The color usually associated with the root, or 1st chakra (base of the spine), is red. The colors from the bottom to the top (root to crown), is abbreviated as R.O.Y.G.B.I.V.:

How is your Earth connection?: 1st ~ Red – root; survival, sexuality; Nature connections

How do you interface with life?: 2nd ~ Orange – womb; Creativity; 3rd ~ Yellow – solar plexus; the flame of your soul

Synthesis of survival needs vs. spiritual goals/understanding: 4th ~ Green – heart; loving connections; 5th ~ Blue – throat; what’s your P.O.V.?, option of expression

How is your Spirit connection?: 6th ~ Indigo – third eye; seeing with clarity; Transcendence; 7th ~ Violet/white – crown; connect with Spirit

7th – Live in the NOW, Come into the Fullness of your Being as a Spirit with a body!
Our Divine connection enters our physical life. Being present in each moment allows us to have clarity, to be free of fear ans aware of but not controlled by survival fears; present to make wise choices; and open to the beauty of each moment. Listening to higher wisdom, guidance, prayer, and meditation. Celestial perspective on the human condition results in inspiration, humanitarianism and trusting, your life’s on the right path. You are not your past; you do not need to fear your future. Only in this moment can we awaken to higher knowing and connection. Spirit wisdom; Angelic guidance, heavenly healing energies. When you are mindful of your Chakras you are better able to access and maintain a healthy and balanced life!

6th – Balance Intellect and Intuition – Seek the Truth
Open your mind. Testing your ability to measure your beliefs, thoughts, and attitudes vs. what is known at an inner level; illusion vs. truth; what is seen vs. the invisible.

5th – Your voice, your Power of choice
Let the water of life flow with clarity. If you do not meditate, how do you hear Spirit to bring balance life’s overwhelming demands? The throat chakra reflects information from all the other chakras to build/maintain one’s energy – it is the intersect between spirit and Form. Speaking up, ability to express one’s voice, dreams, personal needs; to know one’s truth – and trusting in and listening to our connection to Divine Will delivers the best outcomes.

4th – What‘s in the garden of your Soul? …what is your most beautiful dream for your life?
The heart is the middle chakra, mediating between body and spirit and determines their balance. We may experience love and compassion here – or hatred, anger, resentment, jealousy, or self-centeredness, fears, lack of forgiveness, or lack of compassion. Colors here may also be pink, gold, or deep maroon.

3rd – Do you know you matter? Is your inner fire a lantern? …an inferno? … is the fire burned out?
Who are you re: you? How do you manage your personal power? Here we find our personal ethics and integrity, the awareness of individual boundaries vs. tribal identity. Being responsible, knowing your true self vs. acting out of fear of others’ opinions.

2nd – How do you see yourself and manifest your Soul in the moments of your life?
Who are you re: others? This is the center for the innocent pure self, personal power, creativity, finance, and issues of survival, and control; vs. infinite universal potential. Reproductive issues, and one-on-one relationships. How do you view yourself in the world? Do you feel the infinite potential of life, or do you feel stuck? Live and learn!

1st – We are all connected in this NOW moment.
This is the foundation of health. Connection to family beliefs supports the formation of identity – a sense of belonging to a group. Every choice you make and every belief you accept as truth influences you. Who ae you as an individual? You are connected to all life; Earth energy, Nature; animal totums; Ancestral line… does your blood boil, or invigorate you? I see Sexuality issues here; feeling grounded happens here (from the root thru the heels) when we feel safe in our body.

Did you know: the chakras’ electrical oscillations in the skin vibrate at 100-1,600 cycles per second, contrasted with 0 to 100 in the brain, 225 in muscles, and 250 in the heart. From a study by Valerie Hunt, summarized in Vibrational Medicine by Richard Gerber; quoted in Energy Medicine, by Donna Eden (Chapter 5, p.137).

Digital Art by Doug Farrell.

www.ellenfarrell.com

By ellen